Opposing Payment To Ransomware Attack Perpetrators

Adopted at the 87th Annual Meeting in 2019

  • WHEREAS, targeted ransomware attacks on local US government entities are on the rise; and

    WHEREAS, at least 170 county, city, or state government systems have experienced a ransomware attack since 2013; and

    WHEREAS, 22 of those attacks have occurred in 2019 alone, including the cities of Baltimore and Albany and the counties of Fisher, Texas and Genesee, Michigan; and

    WHEREAS, ransomware attacks can cost localities millions of dollars and lead to months of work to repair disrupted technology systems and files; and

    WHEREAS, paying ransomware attackers encourages continued attacks on other government systems, as perpetrators financially benefit; and

    WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors has a vested interest in de-incentivizing these attacks to prevent further harm,

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the United States Conference of Mayors stands united against paying ransoms in the event of an IT security breach.
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